[1] Based on the 2017 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this woreda has a total population of 206,611, of whom 156,531 are men and 50,080 women.
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this woreda has a total population of 182,286, of whom 75,094 are men and 57,192 women.
[2] This woreda is primarily inhabited by the Gadabuursi sub-clan of the Dir clan family.
[3][4] The Research-inspired Policy and Practice Learning in Ethiopia and the Nile region (2010) states that the Dembel district is predominantly Gadabuursi:[5][6] "Mainly Somali Gurgura, Gadabursi and Hawiye groups, who inhabit Erer, Dambal and Meiso districts respectively.
"[7]The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 72,168, of whom 37,814 were men and 34,354 were women; 9,756 or 13.52% were urban inhabitants.